Weekly Coverage Recap: Falcons vs. Patriots

Take a look back at the Falcons' week of preparations as they head into their Week 4 Sunday Night Football matchup against the Patriots.

Monday

Head coach Mike Smith held his weekly press conference on Monday, Sept. 25 after the Falcons' 27-23 loss to the Dolphins the day before. Smith addressed the Falcons' issues in the red zone, leaving points on the field and their trouble with third downs.

Wide receiver Harry Douglas, who had a fumble in the game against Miami and broke the Falcons' two-bounce rule, said it's important to focus on details so that mistakes like that aren't made in the future.

The Falcons are preparing for a crucially important week, and on Tuesday they might have received the pick-me-up they needed. Marines got together and recorded video shoutouts for the Falcons, and you can view those here.

Wednesday

Quarterback Matt Ryan said Wednesday that the Falcons don't focus their attention on who their opponent is, but instead only worry about themselves and improving in different areas so that they can execute better.

Safety William Moore isn't worried about the Falcons record, and instead said that he feels the Falcons are headed in the right direction this week and that winning comes down to closing games.

Defensive tackle Corey Peters said that although the team has been doing good so far on defense, there is always room for improvement — especially on getting to the quarterback.

Smith spoke to the media after the team's practice on Wednesday and said that the formula to a successful season is to keep the same sense of urgency the same every week, along with realizing the importance of not losing back-to-back games and winning at home.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady took some time amidst their prepartions to speak to the Atlanta media, and you can see what they had to say with this weeks' Behind Enemy Lines. Both expressed that facing the Falcons at home would be challenging, but the Falcons' feelings are mutual. Stopping Brady will be a challenge in itself, but the Patriots' run game has significantly improved, so stopping their playmakers on the ground will be crucial.

For key facts about the matchup, be sure to head over to this week's Wing Tips.

Thursday

Having posted a career-high 86-yards on 18 carries this past weekend, this week's State Farm Player of the Week is Jacquizz Rodgers. The running back is also the focus of this week's Throwback Thursday photo gallery, where you can view images from his early playing years.

Tight end Tony Gonzalez said that it’s always tough to face the Patriots, but that the Falcons are up to the challenge and are prepared to come out on top on Sunday.

Wide receiver Julio Jones is looking at Sunday’s primetime matchup as just another game, adding that it’s still early in the season and their goal is as simple as stringing wins together.

After Thursday’s practice, Smith emphasized the importance of not losing back-to-back-games and winning at home, calling that the formula for a successful season.

In this week's FalconCast, AtlantaFalcons.com’s Jay Adams and Daniel Cox urge the fans not to panic just yet and give their thoughts related to Week 4.

This week’s Time Machine gives you some history about the Falcons and Patriots by focusing on the memorable 1998 matchup that Atlanta dominated 41-10 and also where the Dirty Bird was born.

Friday

NFL Films previews the all-important upcoming matchup between the Falcons and the 3-0 Patriots.

This week’s D-Block is once again a can’t miss, as the linebackers welcomed in the 2013 drafted Rookie Club — and even gave them a rare chance to speak — to give them a taste of what The Block is all about.